Combined trigger and concealing device for a sprinkler head

Abstract

A combined trigger and concealing device for an automatic sprinkler head comprises a first plate attached to a second plate by a heat fusible material in a partially overlapping manner. Each plate is formed with an aperture which receives an actuator depending from the bottom of the sprinkler head. The trigger device depends a preselected distance from the bottom of the sprinkler head body and has an outer dimension which causes the trigger device to conceal the internal components of the sprinkler head from view. An annulus defined between the periphery of the device and the bottom of the sprinkler head permits heat energy to be received by the inner surface of the trigger device. Conduction of heat energy from both the inner and outer surface of the trigger device permits the heat fusible material to be expeditiously raised to the preselected separation temperature. This uniform thermal conduction minimizes the response time of the automatic sprinkler head while maintaining a highly aesthetic appearance.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A trigger device for an automatic sprinkler having a deflector positioned within the interior of a sprinkler body, wherein the sprinkler is actuated when a first and a second actuator depending below the bottom of the body are moved from a closed position to an open position, said trigger device comprising: a first plate having a bottom surface and defining a first center aperture therethrough, said first plate defining a first actuator aperture therethrough dimensioned to receive the first actuator;   a layer of heat fusible material positioned on said bottom surface of said first plate; and   a second plate having a top surface and defining a second center aperture therethrough in registration with said first center aperture, said second plate defining a second actuator aperture dimensioned to receive the second actuator, said top surface of said second plate positioned on said layer of heat fusible material when in an assembled condition with said first center aperture in registry with said second center aperture and with both said center apertures disposed between and spaced from said first actuator aperture and said second actuator aperture, said first plate and said second plate having an outer dimension, said outer dimension of said first plate and said second plate approximately at least as great as the outer dimension of the deflector so as to substantially conceal the interior of the sprinkler body.   
     
     
       2. The trigger device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first plate and said second plate depend a preselected distance below the bottom of the sprinkler body, thereby defining a gap between said first and said second plates and the bottom of the sprinkler body. 
     
     
       3. The trigger device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first plate and said second plate are formed with an upturned rim. 
     
     
       4. The trigger device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first plate is formed with a first channel and said second plate is formed with a second channel, wherein said first channel is in registration with said second actuator aperture formed in said second plate and said second channel is in registration with said first actuator aperture formed in said first plate. 
     
     
       5. An automatic sprinkler head comprising: a sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet having an outer diameter;   an outlet closure element selectively blocking said sprinkler body outlet;   at least two sprinkler arms coupled to said sprinkler body;   a deflector coupled to said sprinkler arms;   an escutcheon coupled with said sprinkler body, said escutcheon having an outlet end spaced away from said sprinkler body;   said deflector having a storage position in which said escutcheon extends past said deflector to said escutcheon outlet end;   a pair of actuating pins coupled with and extending from sprinkler body;   a pair of plates joined by a fusible material, said pair of plates engaged by said actuating pins, said actuating pins selectively maintaining said outlet blocking element in an outlet blocking position, so as to form a selectively activated trigger for permitting fluid flow through said automatic sprinkler head, each plate of said pair of plates having a center aperture in registration with the center aperture of the other plate of said pair of plates, said pair of plates having an outer dimension at least as great as the outer dimension of said deflector; and   wherein said escutcheon outlet end is spaced from said sprinkler body at least as far as said deflector when in said storage position whereby said plates and said escutcheon conceal said sprinkler deflector and said sprinkler body.   
     
     
       6. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 5, wherein said top surface of said pair of plates and the bottom of the sprinkler body define a gap therebetween to thereby provide passage of air to said top surface of said pair of plates. 
     
     
       7. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 5, wherein each plate of said pair of plates is formed with an upturned rim. 
     
     
       8. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 5, wherein said pair of actuating pins is a first actuating pin and a second actuating pin, and wherein said pair of plates further comprises: a first plate having a first aperture formed therethrough, said first aperture dimensioned to receive said first actuating pin; and   a second plate having a second aperture formed therethrough, said second aperture dimensioned to receive said second actuating pin.   
     
     
       9. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 8, wherein said first plate further comprises a first channel and said second plate further comprises a second channel, wherein said first channel of said first plate is in registration with said second aperture of said second plate, and said second channel of said second plate is in registration with said first aperture of said first plate. 
     
     
       10. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 8, wherein said first plate and said second plate are formed having an eccentric shape. 
     
     
       11. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 8, wherein said first plate is formed having a section having a uniform radius and a straight section, and said second plate is formed having a section having a uniform radius and a straight section. 
     
     
       12. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 11, wherein said first plate is formed with a first channel extending from said straight section, and said second plate is formed with a second channel extending from said straight section, wherein said first channel is in registration with said second aperture in said second plate, and wherein said second channel is in registration with said first aperture in said first plate. 
     
     
       13. A trigger device for an automatic sprinkler having a sprinkler assembly coupled with a sprinkler body, a first actuating pin depending below the bottom of the sprinkler body and a second actuating pin depending below the bottom of the sprinkler body, said trigger device comprising: a first plate shaped to define at least a portion of a circle and having a first aperture formed therethrough and a first channel, said first channel opening to a side of said first plate and extending linearly toward the center of said first plate, said first aperture dimensioned to receive the first actuating pin, said first plate formed having a section having a uniform radius and a straight section;   a second plate shaped to define at least a portion of a circle and having a second aperture formed therethrough and a second channel, said second channel opening to a side of said second plate and extending linearly toward the center of said first plate, said second aperture dimensioned to receive the second actuating pin, said second plate formed having a section having a uniform radius and a straight section;   a layer of fusible material joining said first plate and said second plate in an assembled condition with said first plate and said second plate cooperatively forming a circular member and said first channel diametrically aligned with said second channel; and   wherein said first plate and said second plate in said assembled condition provide a diameter so as to substantially conceal the sprinkler body, and wherein said first channel of said first plate is in registration with said second aperture of said second plate, and said second channel of said second plate is in registration with said first aperture of said first plate, wherein said first channel extends from said straight section of said first plate, and said second channel extends from said straight section of said second plate, and wherein said first plate and said second plate are formed with a center hole, said center hole of said first plate being in registration with said center hole of said second plate.   
     
     
       14. An automatic sprinkler head comprising: a sprinkler body having an interior and a bottom, said bottom having an inner diameter;   a sprinkler assembly coupled to said sprinkler body, said sprinkler assembly having a deflector, and an adjustment screw positioned below said deflector;   a pair of actuators in operational connection with said sprinkler assembly, said pair of actuators depending below said bottom of said sprinkler body, said pair of actuators movable from a closed position wherein said automatic sprinkler is inactive to an open position wherein said automatic sprinkler is activated;   a first plate having a bottom surface and a first center hole, said first plate receiving an actuator of said pair of actuators;   a layer of heat fusible material positioned on said bottom surface of said first plate; and   a second plate having a top surface and a second center hole in registration with said first center hole enabling a tool to pass through said first center hole and said second center hole and engage said adjustment screw, said top surface of said second plate positioned against said layer of heat fusible material, said second plate receiving the other actuator of said pair of actuators, said first plate and said second plate having an outer dimension, said outer dimension of said first and said second plate approximately at least as great as the outer dimension of said deflector so as to substantially conceal said interior of said sprinkler body.   
     
     
       15. An automatic sprinkler head comprising: a sprinkler body having an inlet and a outlet, said outlet having an outer diameter;   a sprinkler assembly coupled to said sprinkler body, said sprinkler assembly having a deflector with a deflector diameter, and an adjustment screw positioned below said deflector and operatively coupled to said deflector to selectively adjust the position thereof;   a pair of actuators in operational connection with said sprinkler assembly, said pair of actuators depending below said bottom of said sprinkler body, said pair of actuators movable from a closed position wherein said automatic sprinkler is inactive to an open position wherein said automatic sprinkler is activated;   a first plate having a bottom surface and a first center aperture, said first plate receiving an actuator of said pair of actuators;   a layer of heat fusible material positioned on said bottom surface of said first plate; and   a second plate having a top surface and a second center aperture in registration with said first center aperture when in an assembled condition to enable an adjustment tool to pass through said first center aperture and said second center aperture and engage said adjustment screw, said top surface of said second plate positioned against said layer of heat fusible material, said second plate receiving the other actuator of said pair of actuators, said first plate and said second plate cooperatively defining a generally circular shape having an outer diameter, said outer diameter of said first and said second plate approximately at least as great as said deflector diameter so as to substantially conceal said sprinkler body and provide access for an adjustment tool to said adjustment screw.   
     
     
       16. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 15, wherein said first plate is formed with a first actuator aperture dimensioned to receive an actuator of said pair of actuators. 
     
     
       17. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 16, wherein said second plate is formed with a second actuator aperture dimensioned to an actuator of said pair of actuators. 
     
     
       18. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 17, wherein said first plate is formed with a first channel, said second plate formed with a second channel, said first channel positioned in registration with said second actuator aperture and said second channel positioned in registration with said first actuator aperture. 
     
     
       19. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 15, wherein said first plate and said second plate depend a preselected distance below said bottom of said sprinkler body thereby defining a gap between said first plate and said second plate and said bottom of said sprinkler body. 
     
     
       20. The automatic sprinkler head as recited in claim 19, wherein said first plate and said second plate are formed with an upturned rim. 
     
     
       21. A trigger device for an automatic sprinkler having a sprinkler assembly positioned within the interior of a sprinkler body, a first actuating pin depending below the bottom of the sprinkler body and a second actuating pin depending below the bottom of the sprinkler body, said trigger device comprising: a first plate having a first aperture formed therethrough and a first channel, said first aperture dimensioned to receive the first actuating pin;   a second plate having a second aperture formed therethrough and a second channel, said second aperture dimensioned to receive the second actuating pin;   a layer of fusible material joining said first plate and said second plate in an assembled condition; and   wherein said first plate and said second plate substantially conceal the interior of the sprinkler body, and wherein said first channel of said first plate is in registration with said second aperture of said second plate, and said second channel of said second plate is in registration with said first aperture of said first plate.   
     
     
       22. An automatic sprinkler head comprising: a sprinkler body having an interior and a bottom, said bottom having an inner diameter;   a sprinkler assembly coupled to said sprinkler body;   an escutcheon coupled to said sprinkler body and depending below said bottom of said sprinkler body;   a pair of actuating pins depending below said bottom of said sprinkler body;   a pair of plates joined by a fusible material, said pair of plates positioned a preselected distance above said escutcheon, said pair of plates receiving the pair of actuating pins, each plate of said pair of plates having a center aperture in registration with the center aperture of the other plate of said pair of plates, said pair of plates defining a top surface, wherein said pair of plates substantially conceal the interior of the sprinkler body.   
     
     
       23. A trigger device for an automatic sprinkler having a deflector coupled with a sprinkler body, wherein the sprinkler is actuated when a first and a second actuator depending below the bottom of the body are moved from a closed position to an open position, said trigger device comprising: a first plate having a bottom surface and an upturned rim, said first plate receiving the first actuator;   a layer of heat fusible material positioned on said bottom surface of said first plate; and   a second plate having a top surface and an upturned rim, said top surface of said second plate positioned against said layer of heat fusible material, said first plate and said second plate having an outer dimension, said outer dimension of said first plate and said second plate approximately at least as great as the outer dimension of the deflector so as to substantially conceal the interior of the sprinkler body.   
     
     
       24. The trigger device as recited in claim 23, wherein said first plate is formed with an aperture dimensioned to receive the first actuator, and said second plate is formed with an aperture dimensioned to receive the second actuator. 
     
     
       25. The trigger device as recited in claim 24, wherein said first plate is formed with a first channel, and said second plate is formed with a second channel, wherein said first channel is in registration with said second aperture, and said second channel is in registration with said first aperture. 
     
     
       26. The trigger device as recited in claim 23, wherein said first plate is formed having a section having a uniform radius and a straight section, and said second plate is formed having a section having a uniform radius and a straight section. 
     
     
       27. An automatic sprinkler assembly comprising: a sprinkler body; a deflector slidably coupled to said sprinkler body and having a retracted position and an extended position; a first actuating pin depending below the bottom of said sprinkler body and said deflector in said retracted position; a second actuating pin depending below the bottom of said sprinkler body and said deflector in said retracted position; a trigger device positioned beneath said sprinkler body comprising a first plate shaped to define at least a portion of a circle and having a first aperture formed therethrough and a first channel, said first channel opening to a side of said first plate and extending linearly toward the center of said first plate, said first aperture dimensioned to receive the first actuating pin,   a second plate shaped to define at least a portion of a circle and having a second aperture formed therethrough and a second channel, said second channel opening to a side of said second plate and extending linearly toward the center of said first plate, said second aperture dimensioned to receive the second actuating pin,   a layer of fusible material joining said first plate and said second plate in an assembled condition with said first plate and said second plate cooperatively forming a circular member and said first channel diametrically aligned with said second channel,   wherein said first plate and said second plate in said assembled condition provide a diameter so as to substantially conceal the sprinkler body, and wherein said first channel of said first plate is in registration with said second aperture of said second plate, and said second channel of said second plate is in registration with said first aperture of said first plate;   an escutcheon coupled with said sprinkler body, said escutcheon having an escutcheon outlet end spaced from said sprinkler body at least as far as said trigger device, whereby said plates of said trigger device and said escutcheon conceal said deflector and said sprinkler body.   
     
     
       28. The automatic sprinkler assembly as recited in claim 27, wherein said first plate is formed having a section having a uniform radius and a straight section, and said second plate is formed having a section having a uniform radius and a straight section. 
     
     
       29. The automatic sprinkler assembly as recited in claim 28, wherein said first channel extends from said straight section of said first plate, and said second channel extends from said straight section of said second plate. 
     
     
       30. The automatic sprinkler assembly as recited in claim 27, wherein said first plate and said second plate are formed with an upturned rim. 
     
     
       31. The automatic sprinkler assembly as recited in claim 27, wherein said first plate and said second plate are formed having an eccentric shape. 
     
     
       32. The automatic sprinkler assembly as recited in claim 27, wherein said first plate and said second plate define a top surface, wherein said top surface and the bottom of the sprinkler body define a gap therebetween.